Alan Jackson has gone public about his struggle with a degenerative nerve disease, sharing on the “Today” show that he was diagnosed 10 years ago with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (“CMT”) disease, a disorder that damages the nerves in the arms and legs. The 62-year-old country music singer said: “I’ve been reluctant to talk about this publicly and to my fans. I have this neuropathy — neurological disease that’s genetic — that I inherited from my daddy.”
CMT disease can cause muscle weakness and issues with balance. Jackson said there is no cure for the disease and that he’s experienced effects from the disorder “for years.” Jackson shared: “It’s getting more and more obvious. I know I’m stumbling around on stage. Now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable. It’s not going to kill me — it’s not deadly. But it’s related [to] muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.”
Jackson released his 21st studio album, Where Have You Gone, in May, and released a music video for his song of the same name last week.
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